Designing Circuit Warz: enhancing teachers' and students' creativity through problem-based games-based learning in the computer engineering classroom

This paper argues that as students are increasingly digitally tethered to powerful, ‘always on’ mobile devices, new models of engagement and creative approaches to teaching and learning in engineering are required. Therefore, this paper explores the use of gamification and problem-based learning in an educational setting to increase student engagement and creativity. This paper provides a practical example of using game mechanics and demonstrates how a commercial game engine, in this case, Unity3D, can be used to create simulations to teach advanced electronic and electrical circuit theory. The Circuit Warz project is introduced and it is used to illustrate the ways in which engineering education might be reimagined to create engaging student learning experiences that are problem-centred and pedagogically sound.